• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Air Fryer Mom
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Salads

    22 Simple Summer Salads Made for Warm Weather

    Published: May 24, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

    • Facebook
    • Email

    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, light salads that are easy to make and packed with flavor. With a variety of ingredients like crisp vegetables, juicy fruits, and zesty dressings, these 21 simple salad recipes will keep your meals refreshing and satisfying. Whether you're hosting a barbecue or just looking for a quick lunch, these salads are sure to brighten up your summer days.

    Chinese Chicken Salad

    A bowl of Chinese chicken salad.
    Photo Credit: XOXOBella.

    Chinese chicken salad is a simple and healthy option for a quick dinner or lunch. It features a light dressing that keeps things fresh and flavorful.

    Get the recipe

    Ranch Coleslaw

    Ranch coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This ranch coleslaw comes together in just 15 minutes and is perfect for your next barbecue. Using store-bought mayonnaise and ranch dressing, it's super easy to prepare and packed with flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Red Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This red pesto pasta is quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes with only 15 minutes of hands-on time. It's loaded with veggies and flavor, and you can enjoy it hot or cold, whether you use homemade or store-bought pesto.

    Get the recipe

    Sweetheart Cabbage Salad with Gyoza Chickpeas

    sweetheart cabbage salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sweetheart cabbage salad comes together in just 15 minutes and is perfect for anyone who thinks they don't like salads. Packed with spinach, crunchy cabbage, and tasty chickpeas, it's topped with plenty of Parmesan cheese for a satisfying and healthy meal.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi, Blueberry & Spinach Salad

    Blueberry halloumi salad.
    Photo Credit: Divalicious Recipes.

    This Halloumi, blueberry, and spinach salad is full of different textures and flavors. With its bright colors and rich tastes, it's a satisfying dish for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Ceviche Pasta Salad

    Shrimp Ceviche Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: The Foodolic.

    Shrimp Pasta Salad features shrimp marinated in lemon, mixed with peppers, onions, and a bit of hot pepper, all served on quinoa pasta. It's topped with fresh cilantro for a refreshing touch.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad on a white dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This pasta salad is loaded with shredded rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, diced cheddar, and a creamy homemade ranch dressing. It's a great option for a light and satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Caprese Salad with Spinach & Cashews

    Caprese salad with cashews.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This caprese salad is simple to make and hearty enough to serve as a dinner. It's a fresh and satisfying option for warm summer evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Ceasar Salad

    Vegetarian Ceasar salad.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This is a tasty vegetarian take on a classic lunch dish. It's perfect for a light and refreshing dinner during the summer.

    Get the recipe

    Cold Soba Noodle Salad

    Soba noodle salad.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This cold noodle salad is perfect for dinner and can be customized with your favorite protein or enjoyed on its own. It's a simple dish that's easy to pack and take along.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    Pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Nutmeg and Vinegar.

    This chicken pesto pasta salad is great for warm weather. It's a healthy and easy dish that you can whip up quickly, making it ideal for a BBQ.

    Get the recipe

    Healthy Chicken Salad

    A chicken salad sandwich.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This creamy salad is a lighter take on a classic favorite, making it a great option for dinner. It's perfect for serving in a sandwich or enjoying on its own.

    Get the recipe

    Avocado Mango Salad

    Avocado mango salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad is perfect alongside salmon tacos and pairs well with just about any grilled meat. It's a refreshing addition to your summer dinners.

    Get the recipe

    French Potato Salad

    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy potato salad is a great choice for summer dinners. It's creamy thanks to a Dijon mustard dressing and is completely vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

    Get the recipe

    White Bean Panzanella

    White Bean Panzanella
    Photo credit: J Cooking Odyssey.

    In this Italian-style recipe, ripe juicy tomatoes are combined with white beans, toasted bread and tossed in an aromatic tomato and white bean dressing.

    Get the recipe

    Tuna Niçoise Salad

    Tuna Niçoise Salad.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Tuna Niçoise Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish that will change your view on canned tuna. Packed with crunchy green beans, tender potatoes, briny olives, and a zesty red wine vinaigrette, this salad is perfect for a light dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Greek Yogurt Egg Salad

    Greek yogurt egg salad.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This egg salad is a lighter option that's great for adding to your sandwiches. It's a simple and tasty choice for a summer dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw

    Blue cheese coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw is a quick and easy side that pairs well with steak, barbecue, or buffalo dishes. Packed with blue cheese flavor and balanced seasoning, it's sure to become a go-to favorite.

    Get the recipe

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a healthy option you'll want to prepare regularly. It features a flavorful base and is topped with crunchy peanuts.

    Get the recipe

    Arugula Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

    Arugula salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad combines sweet, salty, and tangy flavors that go well with any protein. It's a great side dish for a nice piece of salmon or steak.

    Get the recipe

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This "Caulislaw" combines cauliflower, carrots, and red onions with a creamy mayonnaise dressing. It's a great side for barbecues or can be used to top burgers, making it a quick and healthy option that's low in carbs.

    Get the recipe

    Shopska Salad

    Shopska salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 15 minutes, you can whip up a delicious and cheesy salad. The Shopska salad is packed with vibrant vegetables, a light vinaigrette, and topped with shredded Feta cheese, making it perfect as a side dish, appetizer, or even a light meal with some bread.

    Get the recipe

    More Salads

    • Summer salad with peaches and corn.
      18 Light Salad Recipes Perfect for Spring Days
    • White bean panzanella.
      12 Fresh Salad Ideas That'll Change How You Think About Salads
    • Elote pasta salad.
      Flavor-Packed Pasta Salads You Need to Try This Week
    • Pasta salad.
      21 Summer Salads That Will Transport You to Paradise
    • Facebook
    • Email

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • Chicken and rice soup.
      22 Revolutionary Slow Cooker Chicken Dinners
    • Cauliflower beef taco skillet.
      17 Quick and Elegant Ground Beef Meals You Need to Try
    • Chicken adobo.
      23 Deliciously Simple Crockpot Meals for Stress-Free Cooking
    • Crockpot lasagna.
      14 Crockpot Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    Latest Articles

    • White bean panzanella.
      22 Simple Summer Salads Made for Warm Weather
    • Shrimp scampi.
      15 Shrimp Recipes That Will Make You Crave Seafood
    • Lasagna.
      22 Simple Ground Beef Casseroles forBusy Weeknights
    • A bowl of chili.
      35 Easy Beef Dinners Worth Making Tonight

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosure
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • [email protected]
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden

    Copyright © 2026 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB